The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-06-30

the HDeral hospitality Ol tne proprietor
was fully enjoyed. Fair walters, I'M
der the direction of Miss Marble, served
the people at the booths. Later in the
day the crowd surrounded the platform,
and the formal exercises were duly
proceeded with. There was prayer,
a large allowance Of patriotic vocal
and instrumental music, and then
Colonel Bradish stepped forth to read
the Declaration. The old man was in
his glory. He had habited himself in
full Continental costume, and some
who were familiar with Trumbull's
great picture of the Declaration said
that he looked surprisingly like John
Hancock He read with emphasis and
spirit, and received prolonged ova-
ton upon retiring.
Then came more music, and the
president of the day was happy to an-
nounce that Mr.. Cornelius Darlington
would deliver the address,
There was n pause, which soon be-
came awkward. The orator was not
on the platform. Hurried inquiry
among those seated there failed to find
any one who had seen him during the
afternoon.
The Colonel was becoming decidedly
..fidgety," when hum and stir in the
crowd announced something unusual.
Yes, something very unusual was oc-
curing. The people made way to al
low Mr.. Darlington and his escort to
approach the platform. His escort
was a tall man who walked with cane,
and who had Mr.. Darlington by the
collar, looking as though he would like
knot-hole to crawl through.
II found this fellow" said the es-
cort, "trying to sneak out of the back
door. with this pocket-book which l
suppose he took from your bureau"
The speaker handedit to the Colonel.
1.-THE scoundrelr' roared the latter.
"There's three hundred dollars in it. ;"
II learned in the village" the volun-
teer policeman went on, THAT fellow
had been about here some weeks rep
resenting himself ms a stafi-ofiicer OF
General Rosecrans in Tennessee. l
knew this chap as soon as / put my
eyes on him. He was the biggest sneak
in my regiment. always under punish
ment, never in battle. and deserted the
night before Chickamauga. What
shall be done with him, sirP'
"Kick him outl' said the Colonel.
The directions were literally obeyed by
many veteran feet. Mr.. Darlington.
alias Tabb, was seen no more in those
| parts.
The recognition of the stranger had
been fast coming; it came all at once,
from many different quarters. His
mother and Ida were embracing him
and crying for joy together; the
Colonel seized his hands; the veterans,
some of whom had known him at
home before the war, crowded up to
see him; there was an instant's pause
and then cheers, music, tears and
laughter all together.
His was long, strange story-too
long to be told then. Left for dead at
Chickamauga; his identity lost for
years of slow creeping back to life; his
mind then in darkness, and other years
passed at the hospital. till reason
mercifully returned, and he was able
to seek those to whom he had been
long dead. This was his story, in
brief.
1t was joyous reunion. We can
not describe it, We can only let
Colonel Bradish make his last bow to
the reader.
THANK you heartily, friends and
neighbors, for helping us with our
celebration. Go right on, now, just the
same as il nothing had happened. Let
the eagle scream; celebrate, to your
hearts content Only excuse my fam
lily and myself till night. Our hearts
are full; God has been very kind to us
this Independence Day; we want to be
alone awhile, now. with the Major.
But don't any Of YOU fail to come back
tonight and see the fireworks.
j JAMEs FnANrtsn FfrTG